Introduction to Phlebotmoy Flashcards
What is the definition of phlebotomy?
Phlebotomy is defined as the process of removing or withdrawing blood with a needle, usually from a vein.
The term phlebotomy breaks down into phlebos meaning “vein” and tome meaning a “cutting.”
What is venipuncture?
Venipuncture is defined as the act of puncturing a vein.
A successful venipuncture requires which tools?
Tourniquets Needles Lancets: (a single-use tool to withdraw blood from a finger or heel. It is most commonly used to test blood sugar) Syringes Adapters Vacuum Tubes
What application is a straight needle used for?
A straight needle is ideal for multiple blood samples because more than one vacuum tube can be attached and removed during the course of one blood draw. Straight needles have an angled opening for maximum internal area. These needles have been compared in form and function to the tooth of a viper, both of which are incredibly proficient at puncturing the skin.
What application is a butterfly or winged needle used for?
A butterfly or winged needle works well for access to small and fragile veins. These needles are usually short and straight with plastic wings for the phlebotomist to hold during insertion.
What are the most common needle sizes for venipuncture?
18: relatively large and best for large blood donations
21: most commonly used from venipuncture blood draws
22: used for blood draws on patients with smaller veins
23: typically used on infants and children who have much thinner veins; can be used on adults with chronic illness and thin arterial walls
What are syringes and purpose do they serve?
Syringes use a needle and mechanical suction to withdraw blood. They may be preferred over a vacuum tube in patients with extremely thin arterial walls. In this case, a vacuum tube may collapse the blood vessel.
What are adapters and what purpose do they serve?
Adapters are used in place of a syringe. They serve as the connector pieces between needles and vacuum tubes.
What are vacuum tubes and what purpose do they serve?
Vacuum tubes are sterile glass tubes with a vacuum-sealed rubber stopper meant to withdraw blood by utilizing a pressure gradient.
What are tourniquets and what purpose do they serve?
Tourniquets are devices used to stop the blood flow of an artery or vein. They are usually cords or tight bandages that wrap around the arm. Pressure applied from the tourniquet allows blood to pool inside the vessel and increases the vein’s size and visibility. This makes it significantly easier to access the vein with a needle.
Which safety supplies are needed to perform a blood draw?
Antiseptic Gloves Bandages Gauze Coban Wrap
Why is phlebotomy important to modern medicine?
Phlebotomy is essential to modern medicine because it helps with blood tests, formal diagnoses, blood donations, transfusions, and even therapeutic treatments for blood diseases.
What is a capillary puncture?
The capillary puncture is the drawing of blood from the capillaries below the skin using a short needle. The short needle that punctures just below the skin used in a capillary puncture is a lancet.
What does “stat” mean?
Any order that says stat needs to be done immediately.
What are the four main physical blood tests.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
C-reactive protein test
Prothrombin time
Total Hemoglobin test
Describe erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Commonly referred to as a sed rate and abbreviated as ESR. After putting the blood into a slender tube, the sed rate is the test for how far down the tube red blood cells settle in an hour’s time. This test is used to determine whether inflammation is present in the body. The further down the tube the red blood cells settle, the more the test indicates inflammation. This test can help to diagnose conditions such as Lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis. A positive diagnosis cannot be confirmed through sed rate alone.
Describe a C-reactive protein test.
This test measures the level of C-reactive protein in the blood. C-reactive protein is a protein released by the liver. The amount tends to increase when inflammation is present in the body. So the more C-reactive protein present, the more likely it is that inflammation is also present. The test helps to diagnose the same conditions as the sed rate as well as heart disease.
Describe prothrombin time.
Prothrombin time, or PT for short, is the test to determine the amount of time that it takes for the plasma in the blood to clot. The normal range of time for blood plasma to clot is 11-13 seconds. Any time it takes longer, it could mean that the patient has problems in the clotting factors, and bleeding disorders can occur. The opposite is also true meaning if blood plasma clots faster than usual. It could mean the patient has clotting disorders such as thrombosis.
Describe a total hemoglobin test.
This is a test to determine the amount of hemoglobin in a deciliter of blood. Hemoglobin is the protein that carries oxygen on the surface of the red blood cells. There are several normal ranges for this test based on the patient’s age and sex. A low total hemoglobin indicated anemia, and a high hemoglobin indicates polycythemia.
Describe a blood crossmatch.
A crossmatch tests blood compatibility between a donor and recipient. For this test, blood from the donor is mixed with plasma from the patient receiving the blood. When this mixing causes the blood to clump then it is considered to be a positive test, and the blood is incompatible. When the mixing doesn’t cause any clumping, then the test is negative, and the blood is compatible.
What needle gauge or gauges are most used by phlebotomy technicians?
21, 22 and 23 gauge
21 gauge and 22 gauge needles are those most used by phlebotomy technicians. We also have to use a lot of 23 gauge butterfly needles for the elderly and children.
What are the three variables of infection control a phlebotomist must consider prior to performing a venipuncture?
The patient, the environment, and themselves
If a patient asks you to go and wash your hands, even though you just washed them prior to entering the room, what would be your best response?
Politely oblige the patient’s request.
What is correct name of for the types of needles phlebotomists use when drawing tubes of blood?
Vacutainer needle
Needle stick injuries are a real life threat to any phlebotomist. Under standing the role of proper medical asepsis and safe venipuncture procedure is crucial to protect the patient as well as the phlebotomist. Which of the following viruses are contracted via blood and body fluids?
HIV, Hep B, Hep C, MRSA
The needle gauge is best defined as…..
The diameter of the needle
Your patient has been admitted with suspected TB. You must draw their blood. What type of personal protective equipment will you wear?
N95 Mask, gown and gloves
The chain of infection can be halted by performing which of the following actions?
washing hands before and after each patient contact
Why is it important to fill up a blue top tube completely?
to make sure that the test results are accurate
completing the filling allows for the correct ratio in preservative to blood.
Citrate is a reversible anticoagulant, and these tubes are used for coagulation assays. Because the liquid citrate dilutes the blood, it is important the tube is full so the dilution is properly accounted for
Tubes come in many colors and have different additives. The best way to memorize tubes is by their additives. Sodium Citrate, or (Na Citrate) is added to which color tube in the amount of 0.3mL’s?
Light Blue
K2EDTA is a _______________ and is used for ___________________.
strong anticoagulant, complete blood counts
You need to perform a fasting blood glucose draw on your patient. This is a test used to diagnose the condition know as __________. and the test is done in a ____________ that contains the preservative______________.
Diabetes, grey top tube, Na Fluoride + K Oxalate
